Can I turn down Geico Auto Repair Xpress program?

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 11:47 pm Post Subject:

I would have to agree with T.

Some shops figure GEICO must have a lot of money so they make up prices.

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 12:54 am Post Subject:

Got to give Geico credit for stepping up to the plate and acknowledging that the aftermarket bumper reinforcements that they have been specifying that their shops must use in the repair of vehicles are not safe. NOW, let's see if they take another big step and initiate a recall of all vehicles repaired or damages paid for that only paid for these unsafe impact bars. But wait, all their shops signed those silly agreements promising to hold the insurer harmless and accepting all the liability since they are the repair experts. Boy this is going to get more hairy than the Toyota recalls.

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 01:09 am Post Subject:

Boy this is going to get more hairy than the Toyota recalls.

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 02:58 am Post Subject:

Geico, metlife, and others are contemplating stepping away from the liability of using these parts as they should. Question is, how did they get certified to begin with? CAPA (funded by insurers) apparently got some splainin to do! Aftermarket parts are not crash tested. It took a demonstration at a joint meeting of insurers and repairers to show that they are not like, kind, and quality, much like the radiator supports and bumper brackets that were used as cost savings measures. A simple test of cutting the imitation parts with a hacksaw revealed that they were not equal to the high strength steel originals that were designed to work in conjunction with air bag safety restraints. Altering the design of the vehicle to absorb a collision disrupts the timing mechanisms in the inflatible restraints all which are triggered in milli seconds. One can see an actual comparison test of oem, taiwan, and an american manufacturer of bumper reinforcements. http://www.diamondstandardparts.com/

Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 04:11 pm Post Subject: dont do it

Dont do Xpress!!! A geico rep usually works within the body shop (actually has an office at the body shop), and works directly with the body shop. They conned me into doing it, and they did the bare minimum. I took it back and showed them the mistakes they made, and they both (body shop and geico) said that the mistakes were already there. They pretty much said i was wrong and they were right. I would take it to the place of your choice.

Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 11:05 pm Post Subject: Body Shop Repairs & Insurance Companies

Each Body Shop is as unique as each Insurance Company is, BUT the one thing that the Body Shop doesn't have is POWER. Every shop I have worked for, I have had to fight with an adjuster that is "just following what their supervisor is telling them to do". The Insurance Company forgets that the money they use to authorize the repair with is OUR (consumer) money!! We should choose what is acceptable for our vehicle as far as the type of parts, etc. The consumer thinks that they HAVE to do what the Insurance Company says needs to be done. The first thing that needs to be done is EDUCATION!! Read your policy. Talk to the shop you choose. Ask questions. The shop and Insurance Company should make sure the consumer is well informed as to what the repair will consist of. I make sure to educate all of my customers to allow them to make an educated decision, whether they choose our shop or not. A well educated consumer makes a better customer and one willing to spend their money. Companies that perform with less than customer service first, ruin the business practices for all of us!

Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 05:33 pm Post Subject: geico xpress

Don't go to there xpress repair shops..The shop works for Geico & not for you..They cut many corners and you have a hard time getting any service after the repair..The shops make little money and don't warranty repair...

Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 02:58 pm Post Subject:

Here's the bottom line. It is you that have the right to bring your car to a body shop of your choice and they should by law give you that option. but the sneaky little Gekgo would rather not tell you that. It is what I call " half truths" They will only tell you want benefits them. Unless you are ecucated to know what your rights are in getting your car repaired, Geico or for that matter any other insurance co in my judgement will always get you to go to one of there preferred exprss shops!... Why? simply so that they can cut costs. Don't let anybody else tell you different!!!!

Stephen

Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 03:15 pm Post Subject: mallorca autovermietung

I am doing research for my university thesis, thanks for your helpful points, now I am acting on a sudden impulse.

- Kris

Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2010 06:11 am Post Subject: some thoughts

In regards to the issue with reinforcement beams and energy absorbers. There will be no recall. If you read the fine print in your estimate per GEICO and all of the other insurance companies, there will be a line that reads per "current industry standards" or "industry standards at the time of the repair". In sum, it was common practice for insurance companies to authorize the use of aftermarket reinforcement bars and energy absorbers on bumpers. In addition, an insurance company can not force you to choose a shop, nor can they force you to use certain parts. In the end the consumer has the final word. It is illegal for an insurance company to tell you that you have to have your vehicle repaired at a particular location and it will stay that way for good reason. However, an insurance company can refuse to pay for certain parts if there are more cost effective parts available. For example, if a bumper cover warrants replacement and an aftermarket cover is available, it serves the same function, it fits, and if it is permissible for use by your state's laws. Than the insurance company can allow for the cost of replacing the aftermarket cover. I do find it interesting that the insurance companies seem to be the "bad guys" and the body shops are the "good guys". I think it is important to remember that the main concern for the body shop is to make money. I have seen many many shop written estimates where if that customer was going to pay out of pocket they would have been completely ripped off. I've seen countless body shop estimates that call for the replacement of parts that are not damaged, they are charging paint time for parts that arrive painted. I've seen easily repairable panels replaced on shop estimates. It saddens me at times. I fear for consumers who do not know any better. If a consumer decided to pay for these repairs out of pocket they would have hundreds of dollars (and sometimes thousands) stolen from them. This is one of the reasons insurance companies have been trending towards preferred repair facilities. Insurance companies prefer to work with shops they can trust. Obviously,the true purpose of preferred facilities is to cut costs. Some of the costs being cut are completely legitimate. Billion dollar companies will not put themselves at risk for expensive lawsuits because an adjuster authorized an unsafe repair.